The law is integral to every aspect of our lives. Our family, education, housing, employment, business, and finances are all governed by our legal system.  Qualifying as a solicitor requires commitment. You must be prepared to invest the time and tuition fees required as the route to qualification will take a few years. In return you will find a career as a solicitor intellectually stimulating, challenging, and constantly changing.

Once qualified you may choose to work in private practice or as in-house counsel for a specific organisation, such as a government department or private company. In private practice you will work for members of the public, either as a generalist or specialist, charging fees for your services. You may choose to join an established practice or set up on your own. In private practice, as no two clients are the same, the work is incredibly varied and rewarding. Generally, most of a solicitor’s legal work is completed outside of the court. They can choose to represent their clients in court or refer the case to a barrister to advocate on their behalf.

The career offers a diverse range of practice areas depending on your area of interest, such as corporate, family & child law, business, conveyancing, human rights & equality, litigation, immigration and taxation, to name but a few. Many solicitors provide pro-bono services in the public interest. This involves providing voluntary assistance to individuals and organisations, who cannot get access to free legal aid or afford to pay for legal help. A career as a solicitor is an excellent springboard to other careers if you decide not to practise law.

There are many routes to qualifying as a solicitor and you do not need to be a graduate. Further information about the steps to become a solicitor in Ireland is available here.